By Dorothy Musyoka
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Renson Ingonga, has appeared before the Senate Standing Committee on National Cohesion, Equal Opportunity and Regional Integration to address rising concerns over unchecked inflammatory remarks made by prominent public figures and political leaders.
The session was chaired by Sen. Mohammed Said Chute.
In his presentation, DPP Ingonga emphasized the profound responsibility by individuals in positions of influence.
“The DPP underscored the weight of responsibility carried by individuals in positions of authority, stressing that reckless statements in public forums and political rallies have the potential to incite divisions, undermine national unity, and fuel social unrest,” noted the DPP.
Additionally he stressed that leaders must be conscious of the impact of their words, particularly in a country whose stability relies heavily on respect for diversity and the rule of law.
Reaffirming the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions’ (ODPP) constitutional mandate, Ingonga stated that all investigations and prosecutions related to hate speech, incitement, and similar offences must be firmly rooted in credible evidence.
The DPP also outlined collaborative initiatives underway between the ODPP, investigative agencies, civil society groups and other stakeholders aimed at promoting accountability and safeguarding lawful expression in the public sphere.
He highlighted the need for strengthened inter-agency coordination including faster evidence-sharing mechanisms to ensure timely and effective prosecution of cases involving incitement and inflammatory speech.